Lane and Ashmore Talk Toledo Bend
Want to know how Legend pros Chris Lane and Scott Ashmore feel about this week’s upcoming Elite Series Toledo Bend Battle? Good, because I was able to sit down with the two of them and get their thoughts on the derby, how they think it will be won and about what weight they are going to be looking for as the tournament proceeds.
Chris Lane:
What are your overall thoughts on the tournament? “I think it’s gonna be a great tournament, I took fourth there last year, and I wasn’t actually able to fish the way I wanted to. With the lake being so different right now, I’m hoping it will better suit my style.”
Do you think it will be different than last year? “Big time. The water level is up a little bit, and it’s a lot later in the year, so the grass should be growing pretty well and maybe some of its even topped out already. I love fishing grass, and I think we’re gonna have some to fish this year.”
What patterns or techniques do you think will play? “Man, last year the water was a lot colder and I was throwing a jerkbait. That’s not going to happen this year. It’s been hot, so I anticipate the fish will be mostly post-spawn and already into the summer patterns. You’ll see typical summer patterns, like a topwater in the mornings, then a bunch of other things like throwing a worm around and maybe a flipping or frog bite if the grass is topped out. Heck, I wouldn’t even be surprised if someone gets on a deep structure bite being as hot as it has been this spring.”
About what weight will you expect the winner to have? “Last year it took right at 70lbs to win, and I don’t think it will be too much more or less than that. Any time you’re on a lake that can produce 10lb class fish though, it has the potential to be more.”
Scott Ashmore:
What are your overall thoughts on the tournament? “I’m really looking forward to it, I think I’ll be able to catch them like I want to, which is in the grass and up shallow. Toledo Bend is a great lake, I love the fact that the fishing is so diverse and there are so many big ones. “
Do you think it will be different than last year? “Yeah, I really think it will be a lot different. In fact, I think the lake in general will be a whole lot different than it’s been in a long time. The water’s been so low for so long, that all kinds of grass has come up that wasn’t there in years past.”
What patterns or techniques do you think will play? “I think it’s gonna be one of those deals where you can catch them doing just about anything, from the surface all the way down to 20 feet. I definitely don’t expect the spawn to play at all like it did last year when Dean won on bedding fish.”
About what weight will you expect the winner to have? “I think it will take about 17lbs a day to win, so around the 68lb mark is where I plan on setting my sights once the official practice period begins.”
Look for more coverage of the Team Legend Anglers as the season progresses. Legend Boats would like to say “Good Luck” to Chris, Scott and Jason this week and to all the Team Legend members in their upcoming tournaments!
TJ Maglio
